It’s derby day in Manchester at lunchtime on Saturday, as Manchester United welcomes neighbours Manchester City to Old Trafford, with both clubs desperate for a win.
Darren Fletcher has failed to change the fortunes at Old Trafford since taking interim charge of the club, as the Scotsman saw his side suffer a third-round exit in the FA Cup at home to Brighton on Sunday, on an afternoon in which both of my selections landed.
Prior to that loss, the ex-Manchester United midfielder saw his side draw 2-2 away at relegation-threatened Burnley, meaning the Red Devils have now won just one of their last seven and three of their past 13 Premier League fixtures.
That draw saw them fall down a place to seventh position in the table, three points behind reigning champions Liverpool in fourth.
In contrast to their neighbours, Manchester City advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup after thrashing League One side Exeter City 10-1, before winning 0-2 away at Newcastle United on Tuesday night in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
However, Pep Guardiola’s men have stumbled in the Premier League in recent weeks, with their 1-1 draw at home to Brighton being their third stalemate on the bounce.
That means the Citizens are now six points behind leaders Arsenal, and are only above third-placed Aston Villa on goal difference.
How the bookies view it: City favourites
Despite drawing each of their last three Premier League matches, Manchester City travel to Old Trafford as favourites, with bet365 pricing an away success at 19/20.
The Red Devils are 12/5 (bet365) to make a winning start under Michael Carrick, whilst the draw is 3/1.
Head to head: Blue side of Manchester with the upperhand
Manchester City have been victorious in eight of the previous 12 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions (W8-D1-L3), winning 3-0 in the reverse at the Etihad in September.
Players to watch: Semenyo to star again?
Antoine Semenyo has made an immediate impact since joining from Bournemouth in this window, as he scored and provided an assist in City’s 10-1 thrashing of Exeter City in the FA Cup last weekend, before scoring the opener in their 0-2 success at St James’ Park in midweek.
The Ghanaian international also scored at Old Trafford for Bournemouth in their thrilling 4-4 draw with Manchester United just last month, and is an appealing 21/20 to Score or Assist on Saturday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Manchester United will be without the injured Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who is still away at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo may return following their elimination from the competition.
Manchester City will be without the injured Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Oscar Bobb, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez and Savinho, whilst Omar Marmoush is still away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Martinez, Yoro, Shaw, Casemiro, Ugarte, Mount, Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly, Rodri, Silva, Foden, Doku, Semenyo, Haaland
Anything else catch the eye?
Michael Carrick returns to the Old Trafford dugout for the second time on Saturday, but it’s hard to envisage him making a winning start to his second stint against their neighbours.
The Red Devils have won just one of their last seven Premier League fixtures, and just one of their past six clashes in all competitions at Old Trafford.
Pep Guardiola’s men have drawn each of their previous three in the Premier League, but have since put 10 goals past Exeter City in the FA Cup and won 0-2 at St James’ Park against Newcastle United in the League Cup.
The blue side of Manchester has come out on top in six of the last nine Premier League meetings, and the 19/20 on offer at bet365 for another City win appeals to me.
GambleAware